Victor Prieto: Persistencia

The accordion seems to be gaining favor in the jazz worldjust think of Gary Versace's beautiful playing on the title cut of Maria Schneider's masterpiece, Concert in the Garden, in an orchestral setting. Victor Prieto goes with a pared-down approach on Persistencia, placing the squeezebox out in front of bass (Carlo DeRosa) and drums (Allison Miller).

Originally from Galicia, Spain, the New York-based Prieto offers up his own personal vision of accordion playing with Persistencia. It's a sweet sound, one that explores new colors, rhythms and textures as Prieto and company delve into classical, jazz, tango, Brazilian and Celtic music.

From start to finish, Persistencia feels gentle and understated, with a pervading old world charm, even on a piece like Coltrane's "26-2." "Libertango," an Astor Piazzolla piece, explores the Argentinian tango; "Mundos Celtas," an Irish pub get-up-and-dance tune, burns with more than a bit of a Spanish tinge.

Six of the nine tunes on Persistencia are Prieto originals, along with the previous mentioned Coltrane and Piazzolla tunes. One more, Frevo," comes from the pen of Egberto Gismonti. The atmosphere of Persistencia is relaxed and loose, unpretentious, like something played in a party in a living room or a small but intimate venue.

I grew up listening to my father's jazz records and listening to the radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy

I grew up listening to my father's jazz records and listening to the radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy. So music and jazz specifically have been a part of me since I was born. I love and perform in all styles of music from around the world. Improvisation in jazz is what drew me in, and still does as well as other genres that feature improvisation. A group of great musicians expressing themselves as one is the hallmark of great jazz and in fact all great music.